There's a marked decrease in Costa Rica's pineapple supply this season, which is already starting to increase international prices. According to Luis Quesada Quirós, sales manager of Ambrosia Fresh, an export group made up of small farmers, the reduction in supply is not exclusive to one area or company, but a widespread trend throughout the country.
The decrease in production is mainly due to climate change. Irregular weather conditions, with heavy rains and extreme temperatures, have complicated crop cycles and generated uncertainty among producers. "There's a lower supply because many producers chose not to plant or reduced their planting program after the production and economic losses they had because of the weather," Quesada stated.
This has led to a significant increase in prices. However, Costa Rican farmers are wary of the temptation to quickly expand their cultivation areas to take advantage of the increase. "It takes pineapples about fourteen months to be ready for harvest, so responding quickly to the market is practically impossible. Excess plantings now could lead to oversupply and a consequent price collapse in the near future," he said.
"In that sense, producers are trying to act prudently and maintain a balance in supply, aware that impulsive decisions can affect the whole sector. There is no formal coordination strategy, but the country's farmers' associations promote the exchange of information and encourage responsible planning," he stressed.
Costa Rica remains one of the world's leading pineapple exporters, especially of the MD2 variety, which is highly valued in international markets. However, neighboring countries such as Panama and Ecuador have also increased their production of this variety, which adds competition and complexity to the dynamics of the global pineapple trade.
"Europe and North America continue to be the main export destinations. There's also growing interest from Asian and Middle Eastern markets. However, high logistical costs and long transit times limit the reach of fresh fruit to these destinations. In some cases, such as Dubai, they opt for air transport, which allows higher quality fruit to be marketed at higher prices," he said.
"The sector's outlook is that prices will remain relatively stable in the medium term, which is due more to a limited supply than to a sustained increase in demand. In any case, producers agree that prudent planning will be key to avoid abrupt fluctuations that could destabilize the market," he concluded.
For more information:
Luis Quesada Quirós
Ambrosía Fresh
Tel: +506 8424 7138/ +506 2461 0492
Email: [email protected]
www.ambrosiafarmcr.com